Call to the pen
Fansided

Chicago Cubs: Thoughts on every player on the 40-man roster

By Eric Treuden

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 04: Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy #68 of the Chicago Cubs visits the mound to talk with Kyle Hendricks #28 and Willson Contreras #40 during the fifth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on September 04, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 04: Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy #68 of the Chicago Cubs visits the mound to talk with Kyle Hendricks #28 and Willson Contreras #40 during the fifth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on September 04, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs in action against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park on September 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs in action against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park on September 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

The catchers (3):

Miguel Amaya

2021 stats (in AA): 106 PA, 23 G, 1 HR, .215/.406/.304, 117 wRC+

2022 FGDC projections: N/A

22 years old and the #4 Cubs prospect in 2021 (per MLB.com), Miguel Amaya missed the vast majority of last season after injuring his right elbow in June. Unfortunately for both Amaya and Cubs fans alike, the promising young catcher is set to miss the entire 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The good news is that catchers such as Salvador Perez, Matt Wieters, Travis d’Arnaud and Christian Vazquez have undergone TJS and returned to their pre-surgery selves. Amaya will most likely be out until the 2023 season.

Willson Contreras

2021 stats: 483 PA, 128 G, 21 HR, .237/.340/.438, 109 wRC+, 2.1 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 574 PA, 141 G, 24 HR, .239/.336/.436, 107 wRC+, 2.3 fWAR

With the departures of Baez, Rizzo, Schwarber and Bryant, Willson Contreras now finds himself atop the list of “Cubs most likely to be traded.” The odds of him finishing the upcoming season in Chicago are very slim. The 29-year old backstop struck out more last year than he ever has before and his overall offensive numbers were down from his career-norm, but he is still a widely respected catcher who posted 3.0 oWAR and 1.8 dWAR last season.

Yan Gomes

2021 stats (between Washington and Oakland): 375 PA, 103 G, 14 HR, .252/.301/.421, 93 wRC+, 1.6 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 284 PA, 71 G, 10 HR, .247/.302/.414, 88 wRC+, 0.9 fWAR

Yan Gomes‘ best years are likely behind him but the 34-year-old still has something left in the tank. Recently signed to a two-year contract, Gomes will be Contreras’ replacement should he be dealt. 2022 will be his 11th season in the big leagues and he has earned the title of “veteran presence” in the clubhouse. More than 10 home runs and a reliable backup catcher is what the Cubs wanted from Gomes and that is exactly what they’ll get.

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